What is the golden ornament you ask? Well, it wasn't all about pumpkins...

We actually came for the straw labyrinth. I've always wanted to visit a real labyrinth.

"Available June through November, the labyrinth, made of 10,000+ straw bales, covers approximately 2.5 acres and is in its 6th year of construction. Every year boasts a different design with spirals, concentric circles and arenas with multiple games, corridors, and hallways."

We were told it could take an hour, but with Guy at point it took about 15 minutes.

I loved all the big halls

And secret doors. When you push a door open, you "create a new opening to your path...[and] close off someone else's."

This was the most fun I've had in weeks! I did it twice. (You only have to pay once.)

I found the minotaur on my second try! He gave me a golden pumpkin.

Other attractions include the following:

I'm sorry we didn't tour the Haunted Barn, which a brochure describes as 5000-7000 square feet of "complete darkness with lighted props propelled by air and appearing out of nowhere to haunt you. It is guaranteed to scare or startle you, so we ask little ones be accompanied by adults." I'm sorry we missed it!

But we couldn't pass up the petting zoo, which was mostly just a goat pen.

I had to guffaw at the shot of your take home in the car trunk, Chuck. After showing the abundance of pumpkins, the second shot is amazing!, to have the plain 'ole orange standby and the mysterious golden globe, they looked pretty lonely in the car. Glad you got a shot of the minotaur man. We have corn mazes here, all over the place out here in the country, but I like the idea of your straw bales with movable doors. Next time you must go to the haunted barn. :-)Frances

All these pumpkins that have been showing up of late have me thinking I may be forced to expand the roadside vegetable garden again. Or I could give up on the cantaloupe, a heart breaking waste of space for mini melons with like two scoop.

This looks awesome. Ever since the Cardoza Ranch in Petaluma was sold to the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (which, frankly, I'm stoked about) - I've been looking for a cool new place to get my Halloween cucurbits. Thanks for the link!